Honey extractor



A. F. HoDGsoN HONEY EXTRACTOR Sept. 21 1926.- 1,600,942

Filed Apri1 sv 1926 4 sheets-Sheet 1 if s o I0 d o II e' ill o (3 Sept. 21 1926. v 7 1,600,942

,t A. F.- HoDGsoN I I HONEY lax-TRACTOR Filed April 5, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 2 4 z-:

septn 21 1926.

A. F. HODGSON HONEY EXTRAGTQR zy@ f ..f W

Sept. 21 1926. A. F. HODGSON HONEY EXTRACTOR Patented Sept. 21, 19526.

,nitro STATESV ARTHUR F.. I-IODGSON, OF TARVIS, ONTARIO, CANAD.

PATEN T fl; FF il HONEY EXTRACTOR.

Application filed April 5,1926. Serial N0. 99,901.

My invention relates to improvements in honey extractors and more particularly to that type which extracts from both sides of the comb simultaneously, and theV object of the invention is to devise an improved type of extractor which will greatly expedite the operation of extracting honey; firstly, by enabling a greater number of combs to be extracted simultaneously in the machine; secondly, Yby reducing the work and labor involved in lo-ading the combs into and removing them from the extractor; thirdly,v

by eliminating the necessity for reversal of the combs in the extractor; fourthly, by

l enabling the standard supers or surplus ing in which is mounted, for rotation about Vva horizontal axis, a rotor, the rotor being so constructed that comparatively large boxes maylbe supported therein which boxes are of similar size and shape to the regular supers of the hive and each contains a'large number of combs in exactly the sameV rela- "ti've arrangement as the combs ordinarily occupy when in the Isuper of. the hives; all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the vaccompanying drawings in which:- Y l 1 YF ig. l is a top plan view of an extractor constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig.- 2 is a sidel elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is al vertical section on the lines 3-3 of Figs. l and 4 looking in the direction of the arrows. Y

Fig. 4 is a. vertical section on the linesV 4-4 of Figs. l, 2 and 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5'is a side elevation of a rotor used in my invention showing the comb carryfing boxes in position therein.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof..

Fig. 7 is a detached fragmentary side elevation of a novel form of a brake used in my invention.

Fig. 8 1s a vertical section on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows. j 'l Fig. 9 is aV detached perspective view? (to al larger scale) of a portion of the frame ofthemachino and a bellcrank -lever mounted thereon with the cooperating parts forming the brake `operating means.

Fig-10 is a cross-section (to a larger scale than the other drawings) through one of the comb holding boxes used in my extractor showing the combs therein ready for extraction. l

Fig. ll is a view of the bottom `spacer for the combs.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inthe Y various views. u In the form illustrated, my V'invention comf prises a supporting main 'frame 1` upon which is supported a casing 2.

The upper portion of the casing is hinged at 3 so thatt-he coverportion4 may be raised to permit access tothe interior.. This cover portion 4 is shown partly raisedin broken' lines in Fig.V 2. s

An outlet 5 leads from the bottom ofthe casing and provides for withdrawing' the y extracted honey therefrom. -v

Within the lcasingV a rotor-6 is mounted upon' a horizontal shaft 7 which shaft is journalled in bearingv blocks 8 supported upon the main frame l. y

This shaft 7 projects laterally Vat one side of the casing toY accommodate the driving and breaking mechanism as will presently be described.VV l i' The rotor 6 is of reel prises the two side rings 9 and the hubs 10, the rings and hubs being connected by spokes The rotor 4is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 7 in any suitable manner as by set screws l2. i

Angle bars 13 are secured upon the inner like form and com! sides lof the rings 9 and are positioned alongk .c

the four sides of a square. f

These bars 13 thus constitute inwardly" directed tracks within the rotor; the purpose of which will presently be. explained. c

Extending between the rings 9 slightly to the outside of the tracks 13;"are tranf verse bars 14; 15 and 16 `and'on eachbar Y v14 is slidably mounted a latch 51.

VSecured to eachangle 13 adjacent to the end thereof remote from the latch 51A-is a bracket the arm of whichV projects inwardly ofthe rotor, to forni austop as willbe explained.

Upon the proj shaft 7 is rigidly'mounted a pulley or wheel 18, the rim ofwhich projects inwardly towards the frame 1.

Upon the outer side face-of the pulley 18 is secured a friction disc 19 of wood or othersuitable material. v

vA loose pulley 2O is mounted upon ashaft 7 and itsinnerside faceis adapted to bear against the faceof the friction disc19.

VYUpon the pulley 2O would be mounted the usual belt v(not shown) `for-drivingthe rotor.

Upon the outer end of the shaft 7 is slidablyV mounted a head 2 1"a'nd between VVthe head and the hub offitheloose; pulley 2O is mounted 'a thrust bearing 22.*r y Y Therouter end ofthe head 21 is slotted at 23 andthrougli this slot extends a lever 24,*

alpin connectingthe` head jto thev lever. Any arm 2G is secured to the main frame 1 at f2andtheend of 'the lever 24 is pivotally connectedl to the outer end o this arm by a pin 28.

The lever 24fextends past the end ot the tramev` 1v and is supported-uponA an arm 29 projecting laterally outward from the trame l.

A tension spring extends troni the lever I 24- to the main traine 1 `and Vacts to draw the arm inwardlyl towards the trame.

45. Y @Uponthe plate 34 are secured two eccentric pins 3.6 positioned at diametricallyop- Yposite points on either side oit' the pin 33..

A protuberance 31A is formed upon the Vupper face ofthev arm 29 the outer end of which is adapted to engage thevlever. 24 to torm a latch or catch Vforretaining the lever in its outermost` positionagainst the action ofthe spring 30. "This will be further explained .later.

One oit' the .pon this-pin is journalled a disc or plate 84 valso carrying an upwardly extending varin35. y Y Y' VSwingably mounted upon the pins 36 are twoarcuatebrale shoes 87 which form. in-

ternal vand external brake shoes as will pres-- f ently; be explained. u

. Pivot-ally v'mounted upon the .frame v1 is a V:bell Vcrank levery 38, thearms ot which are indicatedbythe numerals 39 and 40..

- The arm 390i this bell'cranlr lever is coni nected tothe arm 35 of theplate'34 by a between this-pin' 42V and the main traine 1A 1s tensionl spring 43 which normally tends to pull the'arm 49 downwardly A bent pin 44is rotatably mounted upon the frame 1 and the under tace ot the armIV ecting portion ofthe rotor-v and 11.

'bearingz blocks- 8 is,V formed Y with *an upwardly extending arm 32 at the .-7 upper end orf-which lis secured a pin 33.

lserted endwise'into the rotor.

. upon these tracks.

vextra boxes which are placed. above the brood chamber of the hive and 'in which the bees store the surplushoney whichl is subsequently extracted for sale. Y

The ordinary super is open atvtop and` bottom andthe combs are placed therein Side by side in spaced apart relation so that the bees enter from the bottom and can freely pass between thev combs and; over the survfaces thereof to store the honeyin Vthe cells.

. ln thev extract-or boxes 46 the bottom is closed but the tcp is left open and Aacross the bottom centrally-ott the lengthV ofthe, box

iis placed a strip oi". metal '47 having upfwardly bent spaced apart lugs 48.*Which f register with the spacesbetween-the combs so as to maintain the bottom of the combs in their proper spaced apart-relation. The tops ot the combs are separated bythe usual small separators 52v carried by the'combs, which separators also separate the combs when in the regular 4super.y This will be clear from an examination, of Figs. 10

Along bars 49 the outstandinglegs otwhichl form flanges upon the boxes. Y The construction and .operation of niyfin- .ventionv is as follows :-F

lVhen thecoinbfsL 50l have been uncapped theyA are Vplaced in the boxes 46 each box holdinga completesuper ofcombs and when in theboxes 46 they arev in side by side,

spaced. apartrelation in exactly the same varrangen'ient as they occupied whenin the Sll PETS The lid 4is raised by any suitable mechanism.

each side ot the boxes 46.v areI lniountet longitudinally Y extending angle rlfhe rotor 5 isVVV turned Yby'fhandL into a...

proper position so that one pairof' tracks and one ofthe boxes 46 fulloiicomb's is in- During this operation the. flanges upon the-tracks 13 and'tle box .is supported Vhen the box has been fully inserted into its proper position in the rotor the inner end strikes the stopl which limits further travel of Ythe box` Y lhen in position the transverse barsf15 and 16 lie .just above the box 46-and`holdit and the combs 5 9 therein. in position against outward vmovement due tocentrifugal force during rotation of the rotor.

The latch 5 1 is new slid to a central position upon the bar 14 in which position onev cocinas Y overcomes certain manufacturing difliculties and enables a machine to operate with all the various depths of combs in use.

The rotor is then turned andV the other three boxes 46 inserted 'in a similar manner, after which the lid-4 is closed and the machine is ready to startextraction.

yAn examination of the brake mechanism will disclose thattlie brake is normally applied by the spring 43, which draws the arm 40 of the bell crank leverr38 downwardly s'o as to draw the arm 35 of theplate 34 towards the left. This turns the plate 34 so as to close the brake shoes 37 towards each otherl to grip the rim of the pulley 18.

In order to ,release the brake the arm 39 f of the bell crank lever is pushed to the right in the directionl of the arrow in Fig. 9. This oscillates the plate 34 in 'a clockwise direction so as to move the brake shoes 37 apart to release the grip upon the rim ofthe pulley 18. Y

This raises the arm 40fof the bellcranl; rlever and the brake 'may be held released by turning the bent pin 44 so that it engages within the depression 45 of the arm 40 and holds this armraised..` As soon as this pin is disengaged `the spring 43 again applies the brake.'

'Extractionis then carried out by rotating the rotor which is driven by a beltthrougi the loose pulley 20.

Y The brake is released land the drive to the pulley 2O engaged. p

The novel arrangement mits a very flexible and gradual take up Y kwhen commencing to rotate so that there is l no sudden jar upon the rotor and thus there.

is little chance of damaging-the comb structure. Y The spring 30 draws the lever 24 inwardly so that the face of the pulley '2O is forced Vvinto Contact with the face ofthe friction disc 19 and when the, drive'is first started` and the rotor is at rest, due to the resiliency of the connection between the pulley Q0 and disc 19, considerable slip is permitted so that l the speed of rotation yof the rotor. gradually increases and the slip decreasespuntil when the rotor attains'its full speed all slip ceases.

This provides an exceptionally efficient' and flexible drive which is so necessary in' extractors if the `frail comb structure is to "be retained intact.

In the extraction of'honey it is extremely important that the speed of lrotation of the rotor increases'very gradually at .first so thatV the bulk of honey is thrown out at this slow speed and when the speed becomes greater the weight of honey remaining in the combs is greatly diminished. If 1 the speed is excessive during the initial period of extraction the violent action lof centrifugal force acting upon the great weight4 of honey in the combs is suliicieiit to destroy the frail comb structure.

My drive provides this gradual increase in speed rotation of the rotor.

During extraction the combs are positively held in their proper position within the boxes 46 and extraction takes place simultaneously from both sides of the combs.

A veryimportant Vand valuable feature of my invention is that by having the boxes '46 closed at the bottom when inl position within the rotor the rush of air upwardly between the combs'is` eliminated and this together with the Vaction of centrifugal force in rarefying the air inside the boxes, results in extremely thorough extraction and also eliminatesV all Vtendency to damage the comb structure.

Vhen extraction isV complete the drive is disconnected `by moving the lever 24 outwardly against thev tension of the spring 30 until it engages behind the stop 31 which holds the lever in `this outward position. This relieves the pressure between the pulley 2O and vfriction disc 19 and when the pinA 44 is disengaged from the bell crank lever the brakes are applied gradually and resiliently by the spring 43 so that the rotor is brought kslowly andlevenly, to rest with no sudden The boxes i 46 may then be removed by slidiiig'the latches 51 to 'one sideand drawing the. boxes outwardly after which the combs maybe placeddirectly back in their regular supers ready tobe again used upon Y fthe hives. of my drive per- `It is'to be noted,'that the disposition of the '.'boxes 46 in the rotor iss'ymmetrical so'that ilo the vbalanceof the rotor is'perfect.' y

It will bev apparent from the foregoing 4 that my `machine willlbev of great value in the commercial extraction of honey in large quantitiessinceit greatly reduces the labor involved. Ordinarily in loading an extractor each comb must be placedin position therein individually and again it must bei removed individually whereas inmy machine a complete super containing up to twelve combs is inserted into and Vremoved from the extractor as a unit. The saving thus accomplished willbe readily apparent.

Attention is drawn to the fact that there iooY is no lubrication at any point within the rotor 4so that' therel is no possibility of, oil

Ycontaminating the honey. l l, y rTn my machine the combs are carried in the rotor in four large containers each container accommodating -a large number of combs, thus eliminating the necessity for the:

individual baskets-or pocketsvrequired inthe old Vtype machine.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the use of boxes V46y having permanently, closed bottoms, various other methodsof closing the bottoms of the boxes when Vin position withinV the rotor could readily be provided Vso that the regular supers which are open fat the bottom could be directlyinserted into the rotor. This, for instance, might be accomplished either by detachable bottoms for Y vention have been'attained.

Various ,modifications may be made in my invention. without'departing yfrom the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims and therefore Vthe, exact forms shown are. to be taken as illustrative only and not in a Vlimiting sensey andIdesire that only such limitations shall be placed thereonfas are imposed by the prior art or are specifically setforth in. the. appended claims. ,n

Vhat-I claim as my invention is:

l. Al` rotor for a honeyi extractor, comprising-a reel like member, opposedoinwardly directed traekszcarried b the. sides of the reel, said tracks arrange in opposed pairs and forming the sides ofa rectangle at each side ofthe reel.

Y 2.. In a honey extractor, in combination, a casing,l a rotor thereinzrotatable about a Y horizontal axis, said rotor comprising areel like member, opposed inwardly. directed 'tracks arranged in opposed'pairs andforming the sides of a Vrectangleateach side of thelreel, comb holding boxes open at the top and each adapted to accommodatea plurality of combs in side by side, spacedapart, relation, means .permitting'saidboxes to be ninserted endwise into said-rotor from the circumference thereof and to be supported Y upon said tracks, Vand, meansV carried'by thev rotor for positioning said boxesfwithmthe .l

rotor and retaining them with, the/combs therein in position during rotation ofthe sides of a rectangle at each side. of the reel, Y

comb holding boxes openat the top andeach adapted to accommodate a plurality of p 66 combs in side by side, spaced.` apart, Vrelation, said A-boxes adapted to be inserted endwise into said rotor from the circumferencey thereof VVand Vto be supported Vupon said tracks, stops` carried-by the lrotor positioned to engage theinner end ofveach box for limiting its travelinto therotor, meansl cartied-,by the rotor .adaptedto engage the topsY of said boxes when in position within the rotor, and latches adapted to engage the outer end of each box when in its fully inserted position within the rotor.

LL ,In a honeyextractor, in combination, a casing, a rotor therein,rotatable about a horizontalaxis, said l rotor comprising a reel like member, opposed inwardly directed tracks arranged in opposed'pairs and forming the sides of amrectangle at-each side of the reel, comb holding boxes open at the top and each adapted to accommodatea pluralityofgcombs inside byvside, spaced apart, relation, said boxes adaptedlto be inserted endwiseinto said rotor from the'circumference VVthereof andY toy be supported upon said tracks, stops carried by the rotor positioned to vengage the inner en d of each box for limiting itsy travel into the rotor, transverse barscarriedvby the rotoradapted to engage the. tops of said boxes when in position within the rotor,gand latches'adapted to engage theouter end olf-each box when in its fully inserted position within the rotor.

5. In ahoney extractor, yin combination, a casing, a rotortherein lrotatable about a horizontal axis, said rotor,v comprising a reelV ence thereof and to be supported upon said y tracks, stops .carried by the rotor positioned to` engage kthe inner( end of each box for limiting its travel into the rotor, transverse bars kcarried bytherotor adapted to engage the tops of said boxes and also lthe topsof said combs*wheninl positiony within the rotor, andflatchesiadapted `to engage the outer end of eachboxjwhen in its fully insertedposition Within the` rotor.;

6. In ahoney extractor, in combination, a casing, a rotor therein rotatable about ahor- ,izontalaxiaA said, rotor comprising a reel rlike member, opposed inwardly directed tracks arranged in opposed pairs and forming the sidesof a rectangle at'each side of the'reel, comb holding boxes open at the top and eacli'adapted to accommodate a plurality of'combsin side by side, spaced apart,

relation, laterally projecting flanges carried by` each box, said` boxes adapted to be insertedendwise into said rotor from the circumference thereof so that the aforesaid ianges slide upon kthe aforesaid tracks toV carried by the rotor positioned to `engage the l inner endy ofeach box'for limiting its travel Vinto .the rotor, transverse bars carriedby the rotor adapted to engage the tops of the boxes Y and combs When in position Within the rotor,

and latches adapted to engage the outer end ofeach box when in its fully inserted position Within the rotor.

7. In a honey extractor, in combination7 a casing, a rotor therein rotatable about a horizontal axis7 said rotor comprising a reel like member, opposed inwardly directed tracks arranged in opposed pairs and forming the sides of a rectangle at each side of the reel, comb holding boxes open at the top and each adapted to accommodate a plural ity of combs in side by side7 spaced apart relation, laterally projecting flanges carried by each box, said boxes adapted to be insertthe boxes Within the rotor, stops carried byv the rotor positioned to engage the inner end of each boX for limiting its travel into the rotor, transverse bars carried by the rotor v adapted to engage the tops of the boXes when in position Within the rotor, and a latch slidably carriedl on certain of said transverse bars and adapted to be moved into position thereon to engage the outer end of each boX When said boXes are in their fully inserted positions Within-the rotor.

ARTHUR F. HODGS ON. 

